Yarn cleaner



'May 27, 1924. I 1,495,824

H. E. VAN N'ESS I Filed June s, 1922 's sheets-smet 1 l l un n 2.5 e l 24 l. 22, a

'May zv .1924. 1,495,824

H. E. VAN NESS YARN CLEANER Filed June 8, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 v NQ QQ W.. Y ==E m mfmmw h ATTORNE for eliminating impurities, such as parts ofk Patented May 27, 1924.'

HENRY E'vAN Nasser ELMIRAQNEW Yoan.

YARN CLEANER.

Application filed .Tune 8,

T 0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I., HENRY E. VAN Nnss, a citizen ,of the United States, residing at Elmira, in the county of Chemung and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful In' 1;)rove1nents in Yarn Cleaners, fully described and represented in thev following specification and the accompanying draw-ings, forming a part ofthe saine.

This invention relates to yarn cleaners seeds, parts of stems, slubs, speclrs and'other particles from yarn before the yarn is w0- ven Vinto cloth, so thatv a superior quality of cloth may be produced from comparatively inexpensive yarns.

The invention aims to provide a simple device for removing such particles froma traveling yarn and vdischarging the particles from the device without the use of any mechanically driven parts. Such parts I have 'found detrimental in yarn cleaning devices, both because they coinplicate'the device, adding materially to the expense of installing it,'and because they become entwined with the shreds of fibrous material which is necessarily removed `from the yarn with the particles and so render the operation of the device uncertain. v

The yarn cleaner of the present invention serres to separate particles `from a traveling yarn land utilizes rthe pull oi the yarn uponY particles being separated from the yarn to eject from the cleaner particleswhich havev already been separated. This, I believe, constitutes a new principle in yar-n cleaning,

and it has the aevantage ,ot doing` away with the necessity for any'-n'ieclranically Adriven Parts/'such :as have heretofore been `found necessary iu order .to provide for the ejection i'rom the cleaner of particles separated `from the yarn.

The invention may be incorporated in cleaners of many different forms, some of which are hereinafter specifically described.

A yarn cleaner embodying the invention may include a plurality of units each coinprising means providing a long and narrowV particle-guiding opening or slot located at one side 'of the yar-n and having-its entrance end immediately adjacent to the yarn 'a-nd'its discharge end remote from, and preferably below, the line ofv travel of the yarn. The opening tapers inwardly from its -entrance end to a width less than the diameter of the Vyarn, but suliicient to permit longitudinal 1922. serial No. 556,721.

travel of the particles'along the opening under the effect of the pull of the yarn on the particles which are being separated from the yarnl in the opening. Y

v'In order that the invention may clearly be understood,` I will describe in detail a number of'diiierent .for-ms of yarn cleaners, illustrated in the annexed' drawings, each of which includes a plurality of cleaningv units providing such particle-guiding openings or slotsl ln y'the first form, illustrated in Figs. l to 6, inclusive, each unit. provides two guidingyopeni-ngs, one at each side of thev line of travel lof the yarn, and each of these openings is formed between -tlie edges of two i fixed blades. In the second andthird forms, illustrated lrespectively in Figs. 7 to l1, in-v clusive, and F ig's.`12'to 17,'inclusive, reach unit provides two guiding open-ings atop- 'mAV posite sides of the yarn, and each of-'these openings-1s formed betweenthe edge of a blade and the surface of a bed'over whichV the yarn travels. Fig. l is a side elevation or' a yarn'cleaner of the -first form;

Figs. 2, 3, 4,5 and 6 are enlarged views of a unit of the first form, Fig. E2V being a side elevation, F ig. 8 a front elevation .showing the bar sectioned on the line 23a-.Bof Fig. 2, F ig. il a transverse section on the Vline 41-4 of Fig. 2, Fig. a side view with'two of the cleaning members removed, and Fig.

v6 a plan view;

Fig.-y 'Tis a side elevation ov7 a yarn cleaner of thesecond form;` Y f V`VFigs. 8, 9 `10 and ll are enlarged views of a unit Vof the second. forni),Fig.l 8 .being a froi'rt elevation of the unit'showing the bar sectioned on the line v8.--8 of Fig. 0, Fig; 9v

a side elevation, Fig. l0 a Aplan view, and Fin 1l off-Fig. 9.;

l2 yis a side elevation of a. yarn cleaner o-:t' the third forlng-Y p Figs-113,14, l5 and 416 are `enlarged views of'a unit o-'tthe thi-rd forni, Fig. 13 being aA side elevation ,of the unit taken from the saine side as F l2, Fig. 145 a side elevation of the uni-tlrom the opposite side, Fig. 15

a transverse section'on the line 15T-.15 of Fig. 13 and Fig. l"1.6 a plany view; and

f Fig. 17 isa side elevation taken from the opposite side from Figli@ and` showing a modiliedmeans of adrifusti-nent. i 'The yar-n cleanersshown in the draw-ings tre -adalpted to operate npeira traveling '.:flla transverse section on the 4line 1l-.

yarn which is being drawn from the bobbin or other supply into a winding or spooling or other machine. Each form of cleaner is provided with a supporting frame or bar which may conveniently be secured to a portion of the frame of any such machine by any desired means of attachment. It will be understood, however, that any of the yarn cleaners shown may be mounted in any desired manner and will operate upon any traveling yarn regardless of the nature of .the machine by which the yarn is drawn for ward through the cleaner.

The firstform of cleaner, illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, comprises a bar 10, on one end of which is mounted a tension device 13 of ordinaryk construction. ln aligned relation along one side of the bar 10 are mounted the cleaningv units 15. As the units are all alike, a description of one of'them will suffice. Y

A cleaningunit 15 comprises two upper cleaning members v2O, 20 and two lower cleaningy members 30, 30. The cleaning member 2O comprises asupporting portion or foot 21, an outwardly bentportion 22, an outwardly {ia-ring ear 23, vand a cleaning blade 24. rlhe cleaning member 20 is similar to the member 2O and its parts are identified in the drawings by the 'same reference numbers as the parts of the mem-' ber 20, a prime being added to each number. The'lower cleaning member 30 comprises a supporting portion or foot 31 and a blade 34, while the lower cleaning member 310 has a similar foot 3l anda similar blade 34.

The four cleaning members are secured to the bar 10 by screws 16 passing through their feet. A removable spacing member 17 `is placed between the feet 31, 31 of the 5' edges 26, 26.

members 30, 30.

The upper blades 24, 24 are bevelledY on the outsideat 25, 25 to formacute cleaning These cleaning edges are curved as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and`5. T he lower blades 34, 34 are bevelled on the outside at 35, 35 so as to form acute cleaning edges 36, 36" which are curved somewhat more sharply than the cleaning edges 26, 26. rPhe cleaning edges 26 and 36 lie in a common plane, and the cleaning edges 26 and 36 lie in a common plane. i These planes are parallel and separated by a distance determined by the thickness of the spacing member 17. The distance between the planes should be substantially equal to the diameter of the yarn, so that the planes are tangential to the yarn at opposite sides thereof. In order to .adjust the unit for use in connection with yarns of different diameters, a plurality of spacing members of different thicknesses may be provided.

The cleaning edge 26 is cut away at 27 andthe front cor-ner 28 of the cleaning edge 26 is turned in. Similarly the cle-aning edge 36 is'cut away at 37 and the front corner 33 of the cleaning edge 36 is turned in.

The edges 26 and 36 form between them an opening or slot 40 which lies wholly at one side of the yarn. The slot 40 tapers inwardly from its,` entrance end 41 to a neck 42 of less width than the diameter of the yarn, and tapers outwardlyy from the neck 42 to its discharge end 43. The entrance end 41 of the slot 40 is immediately adjacent to the yarn A1, while the discharge end 43 of the slot is some distance below the line of travel of the yarn. The opening or slot 40 included between the edges 26 and 36 is similar to the slot 40.

ln the operation of the cleaning device described, the yarn is passed around the tensionr device 13 and then drawn downward and forward between the ears 23, 23 of each unit until it extends in al straight horil Zontal line, passing between the blades 24y and 24 of each unit and between the turned-in corners 28, 38 of the blades 26 and 36 of each unit. lt is then drawn continuously forward. The particles adhering to the yarn and projecting therefrom Venter the slots 40, 40. As the yarn is drawn forward, the Y particles pass along longitudinally in the slots 40, 40', being separated from the yarn at or about the time they reach the Vnecks 42, 42. The necks are, however, of such width that the particles being separated from the yarn andthe particles which have been separated are moved continuously forward through the necks and the outwardly tapering portions of the slots Asubject matter of myv divisional*application filed February 9, 1924, Serial No. 691,569, and are in consequence not claimedherein.

The second ,forml of yarn cleaner, illustrated in Figs. 7 to 11, inclusive, differs from the first form in that the two lower blades 30, 30 of that form are replaced by a bed 130 whose cleaning surface 136 is opposed tothe edges of both the upper blades and is in effect a common edge cooperating with the edges of the upper blades to form the two guiding openings or slots.

The second form of cleaner comprises a bar 110 upon one end of which is mounted a tension device 113 of ordinary construc- A cleaning unit 11,5 comprises cleaning members 120, 120 cleaning member or bed 130.y The cleaning member 120 comprises a supporting portion or foot1121,-an outwardly `Haring ear 123,` and acleaningblade 124. 'The cleaning member 120 is similar to the member 120 and its parts are identified in the 'draw'- ings by the same reference numbers, 'a prime beingadded to each number.

The feet 121, 121 of the upper cleaning members contain square holes which are mounted on the projecting square portion 116 of a pivot rod 117 which extends through the bar 110 and is rotatably mounted in the bar. on the rod by a nut 118. A spring 150-is coiled around a pin 152 projecting from the bar 110 and around theV square portion 116 of the rod 117 between the feet 121 and 121. The spring 150 serves to spread the feet apart. The ends 153 of the spring 150 engage the rear portions of the upper cleaning members y120, 120 and tendv to turn these members andl the pivot rod 117 in a clockwise direction (Figs. 7,9). On the back end of the rod 117 is'a collar 151 which is fixed on the rod by a set screw 154. A. stop pin 155, projecting from the collar 151 and engaging the front corner of the bed 130, limits the turning of the rod 117 under the infiuence of the spring 150.

twov upper The bed 130 contains in its under side a` recess 131 which is, seated Yon the bar 110 and the bed is secured to the bar by means of a screw 132. g I

Theblades 124, 124 of the upper cleaning members 120, 120 are parallel and spaced apart by a distance which may be adjusted by turning the nut 118 with respect to the rod 117. The dista-nce between the blades should be made substantially equal to the diameter of the yarn to be cleaned. The blades are bevelled onthe outside at 125, 125 so as to form acute cleaning edges 12,6, 1,126. These cleaning edges' are curved asindicatedin Figs. 7 and 9. The cleaning surface 136 yof the bed 130 lies under the cleaning edges 126, 126 and is curved in the same direction as these. edges and somewhat more sharply.

The cleaning edge 126 is cut away at 127 and the front corner 128 of the cleaning edge 126 is turned in. Thel front corner 138 of the bed 130 extends transversely to the blades. n

The cleaning edge 126 of the blade 124 forms with the cleaning surface 136 of the bed 130 an opening or slot 140 which, in the operationr of the device, lies whollyl at one side of the yarn. The slot 1404 tapers inwardly from its entrance end 141 to a neck 142 and tapers outwardly from the neck 142 to its discharge end 143. When the device is in operation, theentrance end and a lowerv The feet are retainedv yarn to be cleaned.

ticles adhering to theyarn and one endL of the bar 141'of 4the slotA 140 is imiiiediatelyadjacent tothe yarn, while the discharge endf143 is some distance belowv the'line of travel of theyarn. The opening'V or slot 140- in-I cluded between the cleaning edge 126 of the blade 124 and the surface 136 of the bed 130 is similar t-o the slot 140. j

The vwidth'of the necks of the two slots may be adjusted by loosening the setv screw 154 and turning the collar 151 so as to vary the circumferential position of the stop pin 155 on the pivot .rod 117. The position of the pin should be adjusted so that the edges 126, 126"'do not touch the surface 136 of the bed, and so that the necks of the slots have a width less than the diameter of the which is most satisfactory in anycase de? pends to some extent yupon the size and quantity of particles to be removed from the'yarn. It is usually desirable to make the width of the necks of the slots of the units which operate upon the yarn' first slightly greater than the width of the necksz."0

of the later units. v

In the operation of the cleaner described the yarn A2 is passed around the tension device 113 andthen drawn downward and forward between the ears 123, 123 -of each runit untilit extends in a straight horizontal line passing' between 4the, blades 124 and 124 of each unit and between the turned-in corner 128 of the blade 124 and the` edge 138 of 'the bed 130 of each unit. It is then drawn continuously forward. The parprojecting therefrom enter the slots 140,140. As the yarn is drawn forward the particles pass along longitudinally in the slots, being separated from theyarn at or about the time theyf reach the necks of the slots. i The necks are, however, of such width that the particles' beingy separated from the yarn and the particles; which have been separated are no moved continuously forward through. the necks'and the outwardly tapering portions of the slots by the' pressure of the particles behind them, which is caused bygthe pull of the yarn. continuously discharged from the` lower ends of the slots.

The third form of yarn cleaner illustrated, in Figs. 12 to 16'has a supporting frame consisting of a bar 210and a plate 211 secured to the bottom of the bar. Upon 210 is mounted a tension device 213 of ordinary construction. ,In aligned relation on the bar 210 are mounted the cleaning units 215wliile an adjusting means for each unit is mounted on the vplate 211. As the units and their adjusting means are all alike, a description of one v of `them will suffice.

rlf'he particles are, therefore,

The exact adjustment Ythe slots 240, 240A downwardly.

second ormand comprises. upper cleaning members 220, 220 having ears 223, r223',

blades 224, 224, .and feet 221, 221( contain! ingsquare'holesxmounted upon` the square portion' 216 ot a pivot rods217 `which eX-. tends through the bar 210; and .a lower vcleaning member .or Vbed 239 seated on the bar 210 and 'secured thereto by ymeans of a screw. As in the second form, l feet 221, 221 ot the upper cleaning members are spread apart and the blades 224, 224 are urged toward the bed 23() by vmeans of a spring 250 whicll `is coiled around a pin 252 projecting from the bar 210 and aroundthe square portion 216 of the rod 217.

The means Vfor limiting the turning olf the rod 217 and the upper cleaning members under the influence of the spring 250 differs from that used in the second form. 1nl Vthe third form this means ycomprises a block 251 mounted on the back end of the rod 217 and held against turning on the'rod by a setfscrew 254, and a screwv 255 passing through a tapped hole in the plate'211 and having its upper end in engagement with the block 251. Y i

As in the second form, .the cleaning surface 286 of the bed 280 is more sharply curved than the portions krof the cleaning edges 226, 226 of the blades 224, 224 which are opposed to this surface, so that the cleaning edges 226, 226"orm ywith the cleaning surface 236 of the bed openings or slots 240, 240', each Yof which tapers inwardly Jfrom its entrance end 241 to a neck 242 and tapers outwardly -from its neck 242 to its discharge end 248.

The blades and bed of the third Yform differ from those of the second form in that in the third form the bed 23() is comparatively short, while the blades 224, 224 eX- tend beyond and below the.y rearvend of. the bed and consequently beyond the discharge end 243 of the kslots 240, 240". The portions 229, 229 of the blades which. extend beyond and below the beds serve as deectors to d 1ect the particles discharged from These deiiectors 229, 229 most desirably spread apart from each other as best seen in Figs. 15 and 16, so that particles do not become lodged between them.

rlhe width et the necks of the two slots of the unit may be accurately adjusted by means of the screw 255. The screw 255 is most desirably turned so that the edges 226, 226'l of the blades do not touch the surface 286 of' the bed, and so that the necks of the slots 240, 240 have a width less than the diameter Vof the yarn to be cleaned.

The operation of the third form of cleanerV described is similar to that ofthe second form, except that the particles which are continuously.discharged from the discharge the -tapped holes in the iaaasaa tion 260 at one end'ot the plate 211 and has its end in engagement with one end o the bar 256. r1`his endof the bar 256V is retained in engagementwith the screw 259 by means of a compression spring 261 reactthird form Y the slots of leach inby. a screw 259 which .passes through a tapped hole in an upward projecing between the other end of the bar 256 and another upward projection 262 on the plate 211. The bar 256, is provided with .a plu rality of inclined cam surfaces 2631upon which ride screws 264 passing through blocks '251 of the units.

lt is apparent that by means of the apparatus described, the width ofv the silo-ts of all the unitsA may be adjusted Asimulf taneously by means oit the screw 259, while in addition, the width of. the slots of any individual unit may be adjusted independently by means ol itsY screw 264. lt is thus possible to adjust all the units simultaneously in accordance with the diameter of the yarn to be cleaned and in accordance with the general size and quantityrof specks or other particles projecting from a particular yarn, while at the same time each unit may be adjusted individually in Vaccordance with the size and quantity oit the specks which are left upon the yarn when it reaches that unit. After the proper relative adjustment of of the individual units has been ascertained, the cleaner may be adjusted for use in connection with dillerent yarns by merely turning the screw 259 and thus adjusting all the units simultaneously. V

It should be understood that the three forms of yarn cleaners which have been described are merely illustrative embodi-E ments of the invention and that the invention is by no means limited to these par-v ticular forms.

It should be noted that since during the operation olf the cleaner no relative motion takes place between the edges which form the guiding slots, the members providing these edges may, if desired., be formed integral with each other. lt is, however, more desirable to use separate members in order to provide for adjustment of the width of the neck of the slot.

l am aware that the yarn cleaners have sie the size of the slots heretofore been made with means providing a V-shaped gripping slot which tapers to a point or to a width so small that the particles drawn into the slot are gripped in it and that such yarn cleaners have been provided with means for intermittently dis charging the gripped particles. I make no claim to yarn cleaners` of this character.

What I claim is:

l. A yarn cleaner for removing particles adhering to a traveling yarn, Ycomprising means providing a slot whose width is fixed during the operation of the cleaner, said slot being located at one side of the yarn and formed to engage particles projecting from the yarn, the yarn at an'ac'ute'angle to its direction of travel, and to discharge them continuously.

2. A yarn cleaner for removing particlesy adhering to a traveling yarn, comprising means providing a slot whose width is fixed during the operation of a cleaner, said slot extending in the general direction of' the travel of the yarn but diverging from the line of travel of the yarn so that its entrance end is immediately adjacent to the yarn and its discharge en d is remote from the yarn, and tapering inwardly from its entrance end to a minimum width less than the diameter of the yarn, but suiiicient to permit longitudinal travel ofY the particles in the slot under the effect of the pullV of the yarn upon particles entering the slot, the portion of said slot whose width is less than the diameter of the. yarn being located wholly at one side of the yarn.

3. A yarn cleaner for removing adhering to a traveling yarn, comprising means providing opposed edges which are spaced apart, are held in rfixed relation to each other during the operation of the cleaner, and form a guiding slot extending in the general direction of the travel of the yarn but diverging from the line of travel of the yarn so that its' entrance end is imparticles rmediately adjacent to the yarn and its discharge end is remote from the yarn, and tapering inwardly from its `entrance end to a minimum width less than the diameter of the yarn, but sufficient to permit longitudinal travel of the particles in the slot under the effect of the pull' of the `yarn-upon the particles enteringV the slot, the portion of the slot whose width 'is less than the diameter of the yarn being located wholly at one side ofthe yarn.

4;. A yarn'cleaner as claimed in claim 3,.

iii-which the opposed edges lie in a common plane tangential to the Yyarn.A ,v 5. A yarn cleaner for removing particles adhering to a traveling yarn; comprising a cleaning member having an acute ledge, a second cleaning member spaced 'from said edge `'and forming therewith a guiding slot to guide said particles away fromv extending in the general direction of the travel of the yarn but diverging from the line of travel of the yarn so that its entrance end is immediately adjacent to the yarn -and its discharge end is remote fromfthe yarn, andv tapering inwardly from its .entrance end to a minimum Width less than the diameter of the yarn, but suficient to permit longitudinal V.travel of the particles in the slot under the effect of the pull of the yarn upon particles entering the slot, theportion of the slot'whose width is less than the'diameter of the yarn being located whollyat one side of the yarn, and means for retaining said cleaning members in -fixed'relation to each other during the operation of the cleaner.

G. A yarn cleaner for removing particles adhering to a .traveling yarn, comprising a cleaning member having an .acute edge,a second cleaning member spaced from said edge and Vfor-ming therewith a guiding slot extending in the general directiony of the travel of the yarn but diverging from the' lineof travel of the yarn so that its entrance end is immediately adjacent to the yarn and its discharge end isv remote from the yarn, and tapering inwardly from its entrance end to a. minimum width less than the diameter of the yarn, but suincient -to permit longitudinal travel of the particles inthe slot under the effect of the pull'of the y'arnupon particles entering the slot, the portion of' the slot Whose width is less than the diameter of the yarn being located wholly at one side of the yarn, means for adjustablyvarying the relative position of said cleaning members to adjust the minimum Width of the slot, and means for retaining said members in fixed relation to each other duri-ng1 the operation of the cleaner. K

7. A yarn cleaner for removing particles adhering to a traveling yarn, comprising means providing opposed edges which are spaced apart, are held in fixed relation to each. other during the operation of the cleaner, and form a guidingslot extending in the general direction of the travel of the yarn but of the yarn so thatitsentrance end 4is immediately adjacent tofthe yarn and its discharge end is remote from the yarn, and tapering inwardly from its lentrance end to a necl'of less Width than. the diameter of the yarn, Yand tapering youtwardly from said neck toward its discharge end, thefportion of the slot whose width is less than the diameter ofthe yarn beingV located Vwholly at one side'of the yarn. 1 A

8. A yarn cleaner as claimed in claim 57, in which the opposed edges are so positioned that the entire guiding slotv is whollyat one side of the yarn. f f

`9. A yarn cleaner as claimed in claim 7 in which the opposed edges lie diverging from the'line of travel vwith a`v guiding l0. A yarn cleaner for removing particles from a traveling yarn, comprising a member having an acute edge, and a second member spaced from said edge and forming thereslot extending in the gen-y eral direction of the travel of the yarn but diverging from the line of travel of the yarn so that-fits entrance end is immediately adjacent to the yarn and its discharge end is remote from the yarn, and tapering inwardly from its entrance end to a neck of less width than the diameter of the yarn, and tapering outwardly from said neck toward its discharge end, the portion of the slot whose width is le'ss than the diameter of the yarn being located wholly at one side of the yarn, and meansifor retaining said members in fixed relation to each other during the operation o' the cleaner.

11. A yarn' cleaner for removing particles from a traveling yarn, comprising a member having an acute edge, and a second member spaced from said edge and forming therewith a guiding slot extending in the general direction of the travel of the yarn but diverging from the line of travel of the yarn so that its entrance end is immediately adjacent to the yarn and its discharge end is remote from the yarn,- and tapering inwardly Vfrom its. entrance end to a neck of less width than the diameter of the yarn, and tapering voutwardly from said neck to:V ward its discharge end, the portion of the slot whose width is less than the diameter of the yarn being located Wholly at one side of the yarn, means for adjustably varying the relative' position of said members so as to adjust the width or' the neck of the slot, and'means for' retaining said members in fixed relation to each other during the operation of the cleaner.

12. In a cleaning unit for use with a travcling yarn, the combination of a bed over which the yarn passes, said bed being provided vvith a surface which diverges from the line of travel of said yarn, a blade at oneg side'o'f the yarn provided with an edge opposed to and-spaced trom said bed and arranged so as to form with the bed' a guiding slot tapering inwardly to a width less than the diameter of thev yarn, but su'liicient to permit longitudinal movement in the slot of particles removed from the yarn under the pull of the yarn upon particles entering the slot, and means for retaining said blade in fixed relation to said vbed during the operation of the cleaner. n

le. In a cleaning unit Jfor use with a traveling yarn, the combination of a bed provided rwith a surface which diverges from the line of travel of said yarn, a blade providedwith an edge opposed to Iand spaced from said bed and'arranged to form with f the bedfa guiding slot tapering inwardly from one end to a neck of less vdiameter than incassa.

the yarn and tapering outwardly from said neck toward its other end, means for retaining said blade in iixed relation to said bed during the operation of the cleaner, and means for positioning said yarn upon said bed adjacent to said slot.

lil. In a cleaning unit for use with a traveling yarn, the combination of a bed provided with a surface which diverges from the line of travel of said yarn, a blade provided with an edge opposed to and spaced from said bed and arranged to form with the bed a guiding slot tapering inwardly from one end to a neck and outwardly from said neck toward its other end, means 'for retaining said blade in fixed relation to said bed duringthe operation ot the'cleaner, means for adjustably varying the position of said blade with respect to said bed to adjust theA width of the neck of i he slot, and means for positioning said yarn upon said bed adjacent to said slot.

'15. `A yarn cleaner for removing particles adhering to a traveling yarn, comprising a plurality of cleaning units positioned to operate upon the yarn in series and, each comprising two cleaning members forming between them an elongated guiding slot at one side of the yarn having its entrance end immediately adjacent tothe yarn and its discharge end remote 'from the yarn and tapering inwardly from its entrance end to a neck and outwardly from said neck toward its discharge end, and means for simultaneously varying the relative* position of the cleaning members of each unit so as to adjust the width of the neck of the guiding slot of each unit.

16. A yarn cleaner for use with a travelling yarn, comprising the combination of a bed having a surface Vover which the yarn passes, a blade at one side of the yarn provided with an edge opposed to said surface of the bed and inclined thereto, resilient means tendingto urge said blade and bed towards each other, and means the opposed edge and surface of saidV blade and bed arranged continuously to receiveV the'thrust of said resilient means so vas to retain said edge and surface in spaced rela- Y tionA to each othein Y i 17. In a cleaning unit for use with a trav'- eling yarn, the combination o'i a bed provided with a surface which diverges from the line of travel of the yarn, a blade provided withY an edge opposed to and spaced from said bed and arranged to form with the bed a guiding slot tapering inwardlyirom one end to a neck and outwardly from said neck toward its other end, resilient means tending to urge said blade toward said bed, and a stop limiting the movement of theblade under said resilient means and adjustable to vary the width of the neck of the'slot'.

18; A yarn cleanerv for use with a' travelother than mg yarn, comprising a plurality of cleaning units positioned' to operate upon the yarn in series and each comprising the com bination ofa bed with a surface which diverge-s from the line of travel of the yarn and a blade provided with an edge opposed to and spaced from said bed and arranged to form with the bed a guiding slot tapering inwardly from one end to a neck and outwardly from said neck t-oward'its other end, and means for simultaneously varying the position of the blade of each unit with respect to the bed of that unit to adjust the width of the necks of the slots of all the units.

19. A yarn cleaner for use with a travel-- ing yarn, comprising a plurality of cleaning units positioned to operate upon the yarn in series and each comprising the combination of a bed with a surface which diverges from the line of travel of the yarn, a pair of blades each provided with an edge opposed to and spaced from said bed and arranged so as to form therewith a guiding slot taper` ing inwardly from said slot to a neel: and outwardly from said neel; toward its other end, resilient. means for urging said blades toward said bed, a plurality oi stops, one

positioned to limit the movement of the blades of each unit, and means for simultaneously moving all of said stops so kas to adjust the Widths of the necks of the slots of p all the units.

20. A yarn cleaner for use With af'traveling yarn, comprising a supporting frame, a plurali-ty of beds mounted in aligned relation on said frame and each having a surface which diverges from the line of travel of the yarn, a plurality of pivot rods turnably mounted on said frame, a plurality of pairs of blades, eachpair being mounted on one of said pivot rods and having cleaning edges opposed to one of the beds, resilient means tending to turn said pivot' rod so as to urge each pair of blades toward one of the beds, means for limiting the turning of each pivot rod comprising an eccentric stop kmember mounted on Veach pivot rod and a bar mounted on the frame and providing a plurality of cam surfaces, one engaging each of said eccentric stops, and means for adjusting said bar longitudinally of the frame.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HENRY E. VAN NESS. 

